Racing with the sun, Solar cars cross North America on the energy to power a microwave

BRIGHT IDEAS, Racing with the sun Solar cars cross North America on the energy to power a microwave
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 5:22 PM ET Comments23Recommend61
CBC News
University of Michigan team members run with their solar car, driven by Brooke Bailey, as it crosses the finish line to win the North American Solar Challenge in Calgary, Alta., on Tuesday. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)
In December 1982, the Quiet Achiever was at the leading edge of solar car technology. Powered by the sun's rays, Danish adventurer Hans Tholstrup drove it right across Australia in just under three weeks, at an average speed of about 23 km/h.
Fast forward a quarter-century. The cars in this summer's North American Solar Challenge, including four teams from Canadian universities, would leave the Quiet Achiever in their environmentally friendly dust. Drivers in the race must abide by posted speed limits as they travel more than 3,800 kilometres from Texas to Calgary. Since some solar cars can top speeds of 160 km/h — worthy of a hefty speeding fine in most places — the rule is not just for show.The Red River College team's car, the Raycer, is seen during qualifying in Texas in early July. The college is based in Winnipeg. (Red River College Solar Team) Teams from Queen's University, the University of Calgary, the University of Waterloo and Red River College in Manitoba are competing in this year's challenge, which started July 13 and ends July 22. More..news.... http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/07/18/f-solar-cars.html